Thumb-worn protective batting aid for reducing transmission of vibration and impact from the bat

ABSTRACT

A batting aid to be worn on a thumb of a distal hand of a baseball player while gripping a handle of a baseball bat. The batting aid includes a thumb ring to secure the batting aid to the thumb, and a cushioning saddle integrated with the thumb ring. The saddle has a crest portion configured to engage a portion of the index finger of the distal hand, also having at least one resiliently deformable flap configured to extend substantially along a middle portion of the metacarpal bone of the index finger. The batting aid minimizes the transmission of vibration and impact from the bat hitting a ball, thereby reducing pain and injury. The batting aid conforms to the bat handle and improves a player&#39;s grip on the bat. Because the resiliently deformable flap is self-aligning on the player&#39;s hand, the player can more easily concentrate on hitting pitched balls.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sports safety equipment, and more particularly to hand-protection equipment for batting sports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many sports require the use of a bat or a stick, including for example baseball, softball, ice hockey, field hockey, and cricket. Today, many sports players use safety equipment to protect their hands during play with bats and sticks. For example, ice hockey players typically use gloves while playing, and baseball batters commonly wear gloves to protect their hands while holding a bat.

In baseball, when a player swings a bat, and the bat hits a pitched ball, sometimes vibration is transmitted from the bat to the player's hands that can be quite severe. This vibration can cause what is commonly called “bat sting”.

In professional baseball, the average speed of a pitched baseball is approximately 90 MPH, and typical pitched ball speeds range from 80 MPH to 100 MPH, with some pitchers consistently pitching over 100 MPH. The resulting instantaneous peak impact of the ball striking the swinging bat can reach 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of force.

When a bat hits a ball, vibrations are transmitted from the impact site down the shaft of the bat to the player's hands. These vibrations are caused by bending modes of the bat. Using high speed photography, vibration modes of a bat have been measured and studied.

Ideally, the player attempts to hit the ball within a “sweet spot” of the bat. The “sweet spot” is the location on the bat where bat vibrations are minimized, and therefore is where on the bat to hit the ball so that “bat sting” is minimized. If the ball hits the bat outside the area of the “sweet spot”, the bending modes of the bat can be severe, and strong vibrations are transmitted to the player's hands. Bat sting can cause pain in the player's hands, and can also result in bruising and injury to the player's hands. The hand most affected by bat vibrations is the “distal” hand, the distal hand being the hand that is closest to the point of contact between the ball and the bat. For a right handed batter, the distal hand would be the batter's right hand.

Bat sting can be so painful as to interfere with both the player's concentration and confidence, and therefore can interfere with the player's batting performance. Therefore, players attempt to hit the ball within the sweet spot of the bat as often as possible.

Because bat sting can cause injury to the player's hands, and is detrimental to batting performance, various ways to reduce vibrational shock to a batter's hands have been proposed.

One example is a cushioning pad made to be held between the batter's hand and the bat, as taught in Lomedico, U.S. Pat. No. 9,603,394 B2. In particular, Lomedico teaches a batting pad made from a cushioning material to be placed in the batter's palm area, also having a ring portion adapted to fit over a batter's thumb. However, the pad and ring portions can unintentionally pivot around the thumb of the batter, and therefore the cushioning pad of Lomedico can be oriented at any angle with respect to the thumb, reducing the effectiveness of the device. The need to carefully and repeatedly verify and adjust the cushioning pad of Lomedico so that it is correctly placed within the palm area of the hand can be distracting to the batter as the batter prepares to hit an incoming ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The batting aid of the invention provides a protective resiliently deformable flap that cushions a portion of the palm of the distal hand of a batter. The protective resiliently deformable flap minimizes the transmission of vibration and impact from the bat so as to reduce pain and injury from bat sting.

The batting aid of the invention also conforms to the handle of the bat to improve the player's grip on the bat. In some embodiments, the protective resiliently deformable flap can provide enhanced friction between the batting aid and the shaft of the bat. In addition, the protective resiliently deformable flap aides in positioning the metacarpals (portions of the fingers within the palm) away from the shaft of the bat, which can provide improved control of the bat by giving the proximal phalanges of the player's fingers a “lighter touch”. This enhanced “lighter touch” can provide more precise finger control of the bat angle, can provide greater wrist flexibility, and can provide enhanced bat swinging mechanics.

The batting aid of the invention is conveniently worn around the player's thumb, and the saddle of the batting aid includes at least one resiliently deformable flap that aligns the saddle in an optimal position within the palm of the batter's hand. Because the batting aid includes at least one resiliently deformable flap that is self-aligning within the player's hand, the batter does not have to take time to reposition the batting aid, and therefore the batter can more easily concentrate on hitting pitched balls.

A general aspect of the invention is a batting aid to be worn on a thumb of a distal hand of a baseball player while gripping a handle of a bat with both a proximal hand and the distal hand, the batting aid minimizing transmission of vibration and impact from the bat so as to reduce pain and injury, the batting aid also improving a player's grip on the bat. The batting aid includes: a thumb ring configured to substantially surround a proximal phalanx of the thumb of the distal hand so as to secure the thumb ring to the proximal phalanx of the thumb; and a saddle integrated with and projecting from the thumb ring, the saddle having: a crest portion configured to engage a distal portion of a metacarpal bone of an index finger of the distal hand; and at least one resiliently deformable flap, the resiliently deformable flap configured to extend substantially along a middle portion of the metacarpal bone of the index finger.

In some embodiments, the resiliently deformable flap has an outer surface that includes a concave curved surface configured so as to substantially conform to a portion of the handle of the bat when the player grips the handle of the bat.

In some embodiments, the concave curved surface is an elliptical concave surface.

In some embodiments, the thumb ring and the saddle are made from a resiliently deformable material selected from a group including: injectable rubber, Sorbothane®, silicone rubber, and silicone.

In some embodiments, the saddle is configured so as to act as a cushion that absorbs vibration and impacts from the handle of the bat.

In some embodiments, the resiliently deformable flap is made of a material that provides enhanced friction where the resiliently deformable flap and handle of the bat make contact while the handle of the bat is held.

In some embodiments, the resiliently deformable flap includes an enhanced-friction surface that provides enhanced friction where the resiliently deformable flap and handle of the bat make contact while the handle of the bat is held.

In some embodiments, the saddle further includes: a second resiliently deformable flap extending in bilaterally symmetric relationship with the first resiliently deformable flap.

In some embodiments, the saddle further includes: a second resiliently deformable flap extending less than the first resiliently deformable flap.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the saddle together with an inner surface of the thumb ring are configured to engage and substantially span a generally V-shaped region formed between the thumb and a confronting side of the metacarpal of the index finger the distal hand.

In some embodiments, the crest portion of the saddle substantially spans a region between the distal end of the proximal phalanx of the thumb and the distal end of the metacarpal bone of the index finger of the distal hand.

In some embodiments, the resiliently deformable flap of the saddle is configured such that when the distal hand grips the bat, the bat is biased in the distal hand so as to be angled forward towards the fingers of the distal hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many additional features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a batting aid worn on a thumb of a distal hand, showing the thumb ring and the saddle, also showing the crest portion of the saddle, and one resiliently deformable flap of the saddle.

FIG. 1B is a perspective side view of the batting aid of FIG. 1A, further including an enhanced-friction surface on the resiliently deformable flap of the saddle.

FIG. 2A is a rotated side perspective view of the batting aid showing the thumb ring and the saddle, the saddle including two resiliently deformable flaps.

FIG. 2B is a rotated side view of the batting aid of FIG. 2A showing the thumb ring and the saddle, including the crest portion that connects the thumb ring and the saddle, and one resiliently deformable flap of the saddle.

FIG. 2C is a top view of the batting aid of FIG. 2A showing the thumb ring and the saddle, including the crest portion and the two resiliently deformable flaps of the saddle.

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the batting aid of FIG. 1 worn on the thumb of the distal hand, showing the thumb ring and the two resiliently deformable flaps that are self-aligning with the player's distal hand.

FIG. 4A is a perspective top view of the batting aid worn on the thumb of the distal hand, showing the thumb ring and the saddle, including the crest portion and two resiliently deformable flaps, also showing the fingers of the distal hand in an open position.

FIG. 4B is a perspective top view of the batting aid of FIG. 4A worn on the thumb of the distal hand, showing the fingers of the distal hand in a closed position so as to grip the bat handle, also showing one of the two resiliently deformable flaps positioned between the bat handle and the palm of the player's distal hand.

FIG. 5A is a perspective side view of the batting aid worn on the thumb of the distal hand, showing the bat handle gripped by both the distal hand and the proximal hand, also showing the thumb ring and a resiliently deformable flap of the saddle, having the fingers of the distal hand in a closed position so as to grip the bat handle, having one resiliently deformable flap of the saddle pressed between the bat handle and the palm of the player's distal hand.

FIG. 5B is a perspective front view of the batting aid worn on the thumb of the distal hand, showing the bat handle gripped by both the distal hand and the proximal hand, also showing the thumb ring, the crest of the saddle, and a second resiliently deformable flap, while the fingers of the distal hand are closed in a grip around the bat handle, the first resiliently deformable flap being hidden between the bat handle and the palm of the player's distal hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1A, a perspective view of a batting aid 100 worn on a thumb 104 of a distal hand 108 is shown. The batting aid 100 includes a thumb ring 112 that fits over the proximal phalanx 106 of the thumb 104 to secure the batting aid 100 to the thumb 104 of the distal hand 108. Also shown is a saddle 114, which includes two resiliently deformable flaps 116 (only one shown). The resiliently deformable flap 116 is positioned against a palm 110 of the distal hand 108. The saddle 114 also includes a crest portion 118 that forms a connection with the thumb ring 112, the crest portion 118 also being configured to engage the base of the index finger 102.

With reference to FIG. 1B, a perspective view of the batting aid 100 of FIG. 1A worn on the thumb 104 of the distal hand 108 is shown. Shown is an alternate embodiment of the batting aid 100 having an enhanced-friction surface 120 on the resiliently deformable flap 116 of the saddle 114, the enhanced-friction surface 120 configured to improve the grip of the distal hand 108 on the bat handle 402. The resiliently deformable flap 116 is positioned against the palm 110 of the distal hand 108, and the resiliently deformable flap 116 conforms to a bat handle 402 when gripped by the distal hand 108 (shown in FIG. 4B).

In some embodiments, the resiliently deformable flaps 116 are made of a material that provides enhanced friction, where one of the resiliently deformable flaps 116 and the bat handle 402 make contact while the bat handle 402 is gripped.

In some embodiments, the resiliently deformable flaps 116 have a concave curved surface configured so as to substantially conform to the bat handle 402 when the distal hand 108 grips the bat handle 402. In some embodiments, the resiliently deformable flaps 116 each have a concave curved surface that is an elliptical concave curved surface.

In some embodiments, the saddle 114 is configured so as to act as a cushion that absorbs vibration and impacts from the bat handle 402.

In some embodiments, the thumb ring 112 and the saddle 114 are made from a resiliently deformable material selected from a group including: injectable rubber, Sorbothane®, silicone rubber, and silicone.

With reference to FIG. 2A, a perspective view of the batting aid 100 is shown, showing the thumb ring 112 and the saddle 114 having two resiliently deformable flaps 116. In this embodiment, the two resiliently deformable flaps 116 extend in bilaterally symmetric relationship with each other.

In some embodiments, the two resiliently deformable flaps 116 extend unequally.

In this embodiment, an inner surface of the saddle 114 together with an inner surface of the thumb ring 112 are configured to engage and substantially span a generally V-shaped region formed between the thumb 104 (shown in FIG. 1A) and a confronting side of the metacarpal of the index finger 102 of the distal hand 108 (both shown in FIG. 1A).

With reference to FIG. 2B, a side view of the batting aid 100 of FIG. 2A is shown, showing the thumb ring 112 and the saddle 114, including the crest portion 118, and showing one of two resiliently deformable flaps 116.

With reference to FIG. 2C, a top view of the batting aid 100 of FIG. 2A is shown, showing the thumb ring 112 and the saddle 114. The saddle 114 consists of two descending resiliently deformable flaps 116 joined by the crest portion 118. The thumb ring 112 is connected to the resiliently deformable flaps 116 and the crest portion 118 of the saddle 114.

With reference to FIG. 3, a perspective front view of the batting aid 100 worn on the thumb 104 of the distal hand 108 is shown. The thumb ring 112 fits over the proximal phalanx 106 of the thumb 104 of the distal hand 108. The saddle 114 includes two resiliently deformable flaps 116, and one of the two resiliently deformable flaps 116 is positioned against the palm 110 of the distal hand 108.

Because the two resiliently deformable flaps 116 are self-aligning with the distal hand 108, the batter does not have to spend time aligning the batting aid 100, and the batter can therefore concentrate on hitting pitched balls.

With reference to FIG. 4A, a perspective top view of the batting aid 100 worn on the thumb 104 of the distal hand 108 is shown. Also shown is the thumb ring 112 and the saddle 114, the saddle 114 including the crest portion 118 and two resiliently deformable flaps 116. The resiliently deformable flaps 116 are self-aligning with the distal hand 108. The fingers 404 of the distal hand 108 are shown in an open position.

In this embodiment, the crest portion 118 of the saddle 114 substantially spans a region between the distal end of the proximal phalanx of the thumb 104 and the distal end of the metacarpal bone of the index finger 102 of the distal hand 108.

With reference to FIG. 4B, a perspective top view of the batting aid 100 worn on the thumb 104 of the distal hand 108 is shown. Also shown is the thumb ring 112 and the saddle 114, the saddle 114 including the crest portion 118 and two resiliently deformable flaps 116. The fingers 404 of the distal hand 108 are in a closed position so as to grip the bat handle 402.

One resiliently deformable flap 116 of the saddle 114 is captured between the bat handle 402 and the palm 110 (shown in FIG. 1A) of the player's distal hand 108. This resiliently deformable flap 116 conforms to the bat handle 402 and improves the grip of the distal hand 108 on the bat handle 402.

With reference to FIG. 5A, a perspective view of the batting aid 100 worn on the thumb 104 of the distal hand 108 is shown. The bat handle 402 is gripped by the both the distal hand 108 and the proximal hand 502, and the fingers 404 of the distal hand 108 are in an closed position so as to grip the bat handle 402.

Also shown are the thumb ring 112 and the saddle 114. One of the two resiliently deformable flaps 116 of the saddle 114 is pressed between the bat handle 402 and the palm 110 of the player's distal hand 108.

The resiliently deformable flap 116 captured between the bat handle 402 and the palm 110 of the player's distal hand 108 cushions the vibrations and impact from the bat handle 402 as the bat hits a pitched ball, protecting the player from pain and injury.

With reference to FIG. 5B, a perspective view of the batting aid 100 worn on the thumb 104 of the distal hand 108 is shown. The bat handle 402 is gripped by the both the distal hand 108 and the proximal hand 502, and the fingers 404 of the distal hand 108 are in a closed position so as to grip the bat handle 402.

Also shown are the thumb ring 112 and the saddle 114, the saddle 114 including the crest portion 118 and a second one of two resiliently deformable flaps 116, the second resiliently deformable flap 116 shown extending away from the bat handle 402. The other flap of the two resiliently deformable flaps 116 (hidden in this view) is captured between the bat handle 402 and the palm 110 of the player's distal hand 108.

In this embodiment, both the resiliently deformable flaps 116 are self-aligning with the distal hand 108, and therefore the batter does not have to spend time aligning the batting aid 100, and the batter can therefore concentrate on hitting pitched balls.

In this embodiment, the resiliently deformable flap 116 (hidden in this view) pressed into contact with the bat handle 402 is configured such that when the distal hand 108 grips the bat handle 402, the bat handle 402 is biased in the distal hand 108 so as to be angled forward towards the fingers 404 of the distal hand 108.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A batting aid to be worn on a thumb of a distal hand of a baseball player while gripping a handle of a bat with both a proximal hand and the distal hand, the batting aid minimizing transmission of vibration and impact from the bat so as to reduce pain and injury, the batting aid also improving a player's grip on the bat, the batting aid comprising: a thumb ring configured to substantially surround a proximal phalanx of the thumb of the distal hand so as to secure the thumb ring to the proximal phalanx of the thumb; and a saddle integrated with and projecting from the thumb ring, the saddle having: a crest portion configured to engage a distal portion of a metacarpal bone of an index finger of the distal hand; and at least one resiliently deformable flap, the resiliently deformable flap configured to extend substantially along a middle portion of the metacarpal bone of the index finger.
 2. The batting aid of claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable flap has an outer surface that includes a concave curved surface configured so as to substantially conform to a portion of the handle of the bat when the player grips the handle of the bat.
 3. The batting aid of claim 2, wherein the concave curved surface is an elliptical concave surface.
 4. The batting aid of claim 1, wherein the thumb ring and the saddle are made from a resiliently deformable material selected from a group including: injectable rubber, Sorbothane®, silicone rubber, and silicone.
 5. The batting aid of claim 1, wherein the saddle is configured so as to act as a cushion that absorbs vibration and impacts from the handle of the bat.
 6. The batting aid of claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable flap is made of a material that provides enhanced friction where the resiliently deformable flap and handle of the bat make contact while the handle of the bat is held.
 7. The batting aid of claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable flap includes an enhanced-friction surface that provides enhanced friction where the resiliently deformable flap and handle of the bat make contact while the handle of the bat is held.
 8. The batting aid of claim 1, the saddle further including: a second resiliently deformable flap extending in bilaterally symmetric relationship with the first resiliently deformable flap.
 9. The batting aid of claim 1, the saddle further including: a second resiliently deformable flap extending less than the first resiliently deformable flap.
 10. The batting aid of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the saddle together with an inner surface of the thumb ring are configured to engage and substantially span a generally V-shaped region formed between the thumb and a confronting side of the metacarpal of the index finger the distal hand.
 11. The batting aid of claim 1, wherein the crest portion of the saddle substantially spans a region between the distal end of the proximal phalanx of the thumb and the distal end of the metacarpal bone of the index finger of the distal hand.
 12. The batting aid of claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable flap of the saddle is configured such that when the distal hand grips the bat, the bat is biased in the distal hand so as to be angled forward towards the fingers of the distal hand. 